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ITEM TIC9

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 6 DECEMBER 2002

WOODSTOCK (VERMONT DRIVE) (PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING) ORDER 200*

Report by Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. This report considers the comments received following the informal consultation on the proposals and amendments proposed by Woodstock Town Council.

    2. Background

  2. Vermont Drive has been the terminus point for the Stagecoach Bus Service No 42 for many years, and is the only vehicular entrance into a residential estate of 120 properties. It has become increasingly difficult for the bus to be able to park up due to the amount of irresponsible parking by visitors to a residential home and to Blenheim Palace.

  3. This parking fills the road space where the bus is supposed to park and also creates an obstruction should emergency vehicles need access.

  4. Woodstock Town Council have been granted agency powers to promote a traffic regulation order subject to the normal reference of any objections or observations on the proposals being reported to the Committee.

  5. Woodstock Town Council have appointed Babtie as consultants to prepare and publish the Traffic Regulation Order.

    6. Consultation

  6. Babtie have carried out an extensive informal consultation process which has generated some 33 responses, copies of which have been forwarded to Woodstock Town Council for their consideration. Annex 1 summarises the responses.

  7. The original proposals (shown on Drawing No Vermont.TRO/01) (download plans as doc. file) have been circulated to all the residents in and around the affected area and it is mainly from those residents that responses have been received. A general summary of the responses can be found at the end of Annex 1.

  8. Following the consultation process Woodstock Town Council are suggesting amended proposals as shown on Drawing No. Vermont.TRO/02, (download plans as doc. file) which will have the effect of extending the restrictions into Rosamund Drive and therefore protecting the whole junction area. It is likely that this will address the problem of the displaced casual parkers.

  9. A letter was also received from Thames Valley Police Traffic Management Unit indicating that they are generally happy with the proposals but warn of the inevitable displacement.

  10. Vermont Drive is also used as a parking area by a limited number of residents of Manor Road who do not have access to any other off street parking. The proposals would mean that those residents would have to find alternative parking facilities.

  11. The Area Traffic Engineer’s view is that the concerns regarding the loss of parking for the residents of Manor Road are set off by the benefits and that there is an overall benefit from the proposals.

    12. Environmental Implications

  12. The implementation of restrictions in Vermont Drive will reduce the likelihood of congestion and conflict for both residents and the bus service and will improve facilities for pedestrians in the area accessing local amenities.

    13. Financial and Staff Implications

  13. The introduction of these waiting restrictions will, if approved, cost approximately £2500 and will be funded by Woodstock Town Council.

  14. Minimal staff resources have been employed during this process as the majority of the work to date has been undertaken by Babtie on behalf of Woodstock Town Council.

    15. RECOMMENDATIONS

  15. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise Woodstock Town Council to proceed with the formal consultation process on the amended proposals as indicated on drawing Number Vermont.TRO/002.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background Papers: Nil

Contact officer: Paul Wilson, Area Traffic Engineer Tel: (01869) 241144

October 2002

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